ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of September 21, 2020
Nora's Note
Dear Congress, We are America’s small businesses, the foundation of our communities. We never stop working and we need the same from you. Our message is clear: pass relief for America’s small business. Our future—and the future of our employees—depends on you. The first round of federal support helped us stay afloat—but only 16% of us will be able to maintain payroll without more help; 32% will be forced to begin layoffs or cut wages; and 30% will exhaust cash reserves by the end of the year. Not one of us asked to be in this position, but here we are. We are proud of the role we play in the American economy—please show us our government works for us.
Coming Soon
We're putting the finishing touches on a live webinar to share virtual solutions to tough public engagement problems. We'll be introducing ascRemote—a suite of tools and ideas to keep meaningful dialogue open from a distance. Sign up for updates at asc-remote.com.
Transportation
The American Lung Association puts NYC at No. 2 for cities to most benefit from going electric. Cleaning up transportation-related emissions doesn’t just support climate goals; it also improves the health of our communities. In its new report “The Road to Clean Air,” the American Lung Association predicts that an extensive transition to lower-emission transportation would significantly reduce rates of illness and healthcare costs associated with transportation-related pollution. In the New York metropolitan area alone, the switch to electric vehicles by 2050 could prevent over 6,700 asthma attacks and save over $5 billion in healthcare costs. Read on to learn more about New York’s current progress in reducing transportation-related pollution.
NJ.com: New NJ Transit bridge eliminates one more headache for commuters, Murphy says
Government Technology: Next-Gen Transportation Isn’t Going Anywhere Without Data
WBNG: ‘Car Free for Climate’ encourages New Yorkers to hang up the car keys for one day
Cities Today: Vancouver announces low-income transport pilot
Spectrum News NY 1: MTA Has Given Out Masks, Not Tickets, to Riders Without Face Coverings
Smart Cities Dive: An urbanist's guide to creating effective mobility pilots
Greater Greater Washington: Capital Bikeshare celebrates 10 years in the Washington region
Roll Call: With no aid in sight, motor coach industry predicts abyss
Progressive Railroading: Operation Lifesaver kicks off Rail Safety Week
Energy/Environment
New York Clock That Told Time Now Tells the Time Remaining. While this year's Climate Week NYC events have moved online, there is one in-person reminder of the week that’s especially eye-catching. Through the end of Climate Week NYC, the 62-foot wide electronic Metronome clock that faces Union Square will project a countdown clock to the moment when we will likely exceed global warming beyond 1. 5°C above pre-industrial levels at current emission levels. By displaying the countdown in a highly visible area, the artists hope to encourage passersby to consider how they can support climate solutions—before it is too late. Read on to learn more about how the Climate Clock project seeks to make important information about climate change accessible to the public.
Power Engineering: New EIA data shows wind, solar and natural gas construction costs keep going down
Gothamist: Tugboat And Rail Car Sink Into The Atlantic Ocean To Form Artificial Reef Off Long Island
New Jersey 101.5: Trenton Facility Turning Our Wasted Food Into Renewable Energy
Utility Dive: New York proposes rules to speed renewable projects, but local control, other issues could be contentious
Yale E360: Will Putting Honey Bees on Public Lands Threaten Native Bees?
Energy News Network: Virginia jumps to head of the class on school solar installations, report shows
Scientific American: Researchers Urge Federal Moonshot for Clean Energy
Fast Company: This is what a zero-emissions city looks like
Economic Development
A Climate Center on Governors Island? Could Be a Game Changer. Solutions to two of today's largest issues—climate change and economic recovery—must go hand-in-hand to build a sustainable future. In New York, a climate solutions center on Governors Island could effectively address both. Last week, the Trust for Governors Island announced a proposed rezoning of a portion of the island in order to support future solicitations for a mixed-use district centered around climate research and public engagement. In addition to vital discoveries in climate science, the Trust anticipates the climate center would support the creation of over 8,000 jobs. Read on to learn more about the context surrounding the proposed center.
City Limits: Amid Unemployment and Restrictions, Latino Businesses Struggle
Westfair Communications: Westchester County Association issues report on recovery from the pandemic
Eyewitness News ABC 7 NY: Small business owners rally in support of lease relief bill
Business Insider: How America can innovate to make its infrastructure more competitive, sustainable, and last through the 21st century
Cities of the Future: New York to Expand Open Streets to Weekdays
Axios: Unemployment concerns are growing
Route Fifty: Pandemic May Alter Big Cities, But Won’t Kill Them, Experts Say
NY Times: Community Colleges Can Be Engines of Economic Recovery
We want to hear from you and work with you! ASC delivers communication solutions that help communities see the possibilities.
Coming Soon: ASC will soon launch ascRemote—a suite of tools and ideas to keep a meaningful dialogue open from a distance. Sign up for updates at asc-remote.com.
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